Flying aeroplane carrier



April 14, 1931. E. FLORIG ET AL FLYING AEROPLANE CARRIER Filed April 19, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l pol-i;

7 7:1 IIHIIM INV NTORJ J '1 I; BY 191"" 513221 ATTORNEY p 1 E. FLORlG ET AL FLYING AEROPLANE CARRIER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 19, 1930 A TTORNEY Patented Apr. 14, .1931

' UNITED STATES EMIL FLORIG AN D ALFRED BRACHE, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

FLYING AEROPLAINE CARRIER Application filed April 19,

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a mid-air aeroplane landing station.

The invention has for an object the provision of a device of the class mentioned which is of simple durable construction, dependable in use and efficient in action and which can be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

The invention proposes a lighter than air flying machine, a horizontal platform supported thereon unobstructed for aeroplane landing from above, garage hangars along the sides of said platform and lockers to the front of the platform.

The invention also proposes that said lighter than air flying machine includes a pair of spaced gas bags with said platform between them, and a third gas bag beneath 3 said platform.

The invention also proposes that saidthird gas bag be detachableand/or adjustable to one side or the other.

For further comprehension of the invention, andof the objectsand advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and

to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure Fig. 1 is a plan view of a device constructed according to this invention.

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but illustrating a modification.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view taken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 1.

The mid-air aeroplane landing station consists of a lighter than air flying machine 10, a horizontal platform 11 supported thereon unobstructed for aeroplane landing from above, garage hangers 12 along the sides of 1930. Serial No. 445,590.

said platform 11 and lockers 13 to the front of said platform.

The lighter than air flying machine includes a pair of spaced gas bags 14, arranged on the same plane with the said platform 11, secured therebetween and serving to hold the gas bags in spaced positions and in firm connection. The lighter thanair flying machine also includes a third gas bag 15 between and beneath the gas bags 14 and rigidly held in place by a frame structure 16.

The gas bags 14 and 15 are preferably of cigar shape and parallel with each other. The platform 11 extends substantially the full length of gas bags 14. The third gas bag 15 is connected with struts which constitute the said frame 16. Each of the gas bags 14 carry cabins 17 for passengers and for the crew. An elevator 18 leads from the third gas bag 15 to the platform 11. Suitable stairs 19 lead from the cabins of. the

gasbags 14 to the platform 11.

Theframe structure 16 is constructed with suitable openings 16 to allow a free circulation of air around gas bags14.

The horizontal platform 11 consists of flooring formed with'a plurality of sliding grates 2O controlled by a handle 20 so as to allow the passing of the air thru the platform. 11 when so desired. The garage hangers 12 consist merely in roof structures 21 attached upon the sides of bag structure 14 and extending a short distance over the sides of the platform 11. This arrangement allows one of the sides 22 of the hangers to communi-' cate with the atmosphere upon the platform so that aeroplanes on the platform may be moved beneath the hangers and out into the open. The lockers 13 are closed with doors 23. As shown in the drawing the lockers are formed with cut out parts 24 so that persons may stand therein and look outserving as observation compartments. The lockers are provided with windows 25. On the platform 11 there is a landing marking 26 which consists of a painted longitudinal line connected with a transverse line. This serves to guide aeroplanes landing upon the platform.

In Fig. 6, a modification of the invention has been shown in which a means is provided for detaching or adjusting the third bag 15. This means consists of a frame 28 extended -,between the gas bags 14 and including a transverse dovetailed groove 29. A slide depends from the groove 29 and is formed with a bottom long T-shaped groove 31;

The third bag 15 is formed with a top track 32 engaging in the T-shaped groove 31. Set

extends onto drums 34 in drum chambers 35-- attached upon the frame 28 in the vicinity of the gas bags 14. These drums are of conventional design so as to draw and hold the cables in various positions. Dot anddash lines 36 indicate an adjusted position ofgthe gas bag 15. i

In operation of the device the. lighter than air flying machine carries it through the air. .Aeroplanes in flight needing repairs may alight upon the platform 11 and they' may then be pushed beneath the hangers 12 so that workmen. may accomplish suitable repairs. WVhen repairs are finished these aeroplanes mayrun off of the platform 11 back into flight. VVorkmen and the crew from the aeroplane landing station may communicate from the various cabins with the landing platform by the elevator 18 and stairs 19. Sup- .plies andother materials may be kept in the lockers 13.

In the form shown in Fig. 6, in the event that a busy day is not expected the third gas bag 15 may be detached and the mideair landing station sent up in the air with. only the two gas bags 14;. This is intended for use on days in which larger volume ofbusinessis not expected. Thedetaching of thethird gas bag is accomplished by merely loosening the screws 33 and sliding the'track 32 out of the groove 31; V V V If one side or the other side ofthe platform 11 is weighted down sothat the landing station is at an inclination up in the air, the cables 33 may be drawn in or let out so as to change the position of the third ba-g 15. Said change of positionis indicated by the dot and dash lines 36.; i

The lower gas bag 15 may also be replaced by two or more bags spaced apart, under and between the upper gas bags 1 1- for carrying heavier loads. 7 While we have shown and described the preferred embodiment of our invention, it is to be understood that we do notlimit ourselves to the preciseconstruction herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and'modiflcations coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. 1 s

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:--

1. A mid-air aeroplane landing station, comprising a lighter than air-flying machine, a horizontal platform supported thereon unobstructed for aeroplane landing from above, garage hangers along the sides of said platform," and lockers to the front of the platform.

comprising a lighter than air y ng machine, 'a horizontal platform supported :thereon unobstructed? for aeroplane landing' from above, garage hangers along the sides of said platform, and lockers to the front of the platform, said lighter than air flying machine'includes a pair of spaced gas bags with said'platform between. them.

.3. 'A mid-air aeroplane landing station, comprisinga lighter than'air flyin machine,

a horizontal platform supported 't iereon unobstructed v for aeroplane landing from 2. A mid-air "aeroplane station,

above, garage hangers along. the sides of said platform, and lockers to the front ofthc platform, said lighter than air'fi 'ing -maichine includes a pair of spaced gas ags with said platform between them,and a third gas.

bag beneath and betweensaid] gas bags.

4. A mid-air aeroplane. landingstatlon,

comprising a lighter than air'flying machine,

a horizontal platform supported thereon unobstructed for aeroplane landing from above, garage hangers along the sides of saidplatform, and lockers to the frontof the lat form, said lighter thanair flying mac ine includes a pair of spaced gas bags; with said platform between them, and a'third'gas'bag beneath and between said gas bags, a means being also provided for detac hin'g and adjustably communicating the third gas bag in place.

' 5.. A mid-air aio iane Jada tstation, comprising a. lighter than air v y1ng 'mja-- chine, a horizontal platform supported thereon unobstructed for aeroplane landing fromabove, garagehangers along'the sid'es of said platform, and lockers to'thefront;

of said platform, and lockers to the 1mm of the platform, said lighter than air fi "ng machine includes a pair of spaced gas age of cigar shape and parallel with each'ether,

and cabins supportedonsaid gasfbags.ff""

7 A mid -air aeroplanelanding station, comprising a lighter thani'air-flying-lnachine, a1 horizontal. platformflsuppor'tedl thereonunobstructed .for. aeroplanes landingfrom above, garage hangers along the sides of said platform, and ockers tozthe front of the platform, said garage hangers comprising an over hung roof extending partially over said platform so as to be above along one side.

8. A mid-air aeroplane landing station, comprising a lighter than air flying machine, a horizontal platform supported thereon unobstructed for aeroplane landing from above, garage hangers along the sides of said platform, lockers to the front of the platform, and means for detaching, adjusting and supporting a third gas bag to a pair of spaced gas bags included in said lighter than air flying machine.

9. A mid-air aeroplane landing station, comprising a lighter than air flying machine, a horizontal platform supported thereon unobstructed for aeroplane landing from above, garage hangers along the sides of said platform, lockers to the front of the platform, and means for detaching, adjusting and supporting a third gas bag to a pair of spaced gas bags included in said lighter than air flying machine, comprising a frame with a transverse groove, a slide in said groove formed with a T-shaped longitudinal groove, a track upon the third bag and engaging in said groove, means for holding said track in place within the groove, and means for holding said slide in various positions along said transverse groove.

10. A mid-air aeroplane landing station, comprising a lighter than air flying machine, a horizontal platform supported thereon unobstructed for aeroplane landing from above, adjustable grates in said platform for controlling the air circulation above and below the said platform, garage hangers along the sides of said platform, and lockers to the front of the platform, said lighter than air flying machine includes a pair of spaced gas bags with said platform between them, and a third gas bag beneath and between said gas bags, said third gas bag is connected to the said spaced gas bags by frame structures which allow the circulation of air around each gas bag.

In testimony whereof we have affixed our signatures.

EMIL FLORIG. ALFRED BRACHE. 

